In a significant legal victory for President Donald Trump, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously ruled that he can maintain control of California National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles during anti-ICE riots. The court determined that Trump likely acted within his statutory powers, citing evidence of violence against federal officers during the protests as justification for the deployment. Does this ruling determine how Trump approaches future protests?
Court Sides With Trump in Historic National Guard Dispute
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit delivered a major victory to President Donald Trump by ruling he can retain control of California National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles during anti-ICE protests. This unprecedented legal decision marks the first time since 1965 that a president has successfully federalized National Guard forces without a governor’s permission, establishing a significant precedent for federal authority during civil unrest.
The three-judge panel unanimously stayed a lower court order that had returned command to California Governor Gavin Newsom, effectively rejecting the governor’s challenge to Trump’s deployment decision. “Affording the President that deference, we conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority under § 12406(3), which authorizes federalization of the National Guard when the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States,” the court stated in its ruling.
🚨BREAKING: Appeals court shuts down Gavin Newsom’s push to reclaim control of California’s National Guard from President Trump. pic.twitter.com/cQiUgrIS0B
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 20, 2025
Legal Reasoning Behind the Court’s Decision
The appeals court determined that Trump’s actions were justified under federal law, specifically citing evidence of violence and interference with federal officers during the Los Angeles riots. The judges found that the president had reasonable grounds to conclude that regular forces were insufficient to execute U.S. laws, thereby legitimizing his decision to federalize the National Guard without Newsom’s approval.
Despite Newsom’s argument that the National Guard’s presence was inflammatory and potentially destabilizing, the court dismissed these concerns as speculative. The ruling explicitly stated that while the president should have notified the governor as required by law, Newsom ultimately had “no power to countermand the president’s order” regardless of notification procedures.
Donald Trump is not a king and not above the law.
Tonight, the court rightly rejected Trump’s claim that he can do whatever he wants with the National Guard and not have to explain himself to a court.Â
We will not let this authoritarian use of military soldiers against citizens…
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 20, 2025
Political Reactions and Implications
President Trump celebrated the decision on his Truth Social platform, calling it a “BIG WIN in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the President’s core power to call in the National Guard!” He further emphasized the federal government’s responsibility to provide protection when state and local forces are unable to maintain order, writing: “This is a Great Decision for our Country, and we will continue to protect and defend Law abiding Americans.”
Governor Newsom expressed disappointment with the ruling and indicated he would continue challenging what he views as presidential overreach. “I’m confident in the rule of law. I’m confident in the Constitution of the United States. I’m confident in the reasoned decision issued last week by a very well-respected federal judge. And I’m confident that common sense will prevail here,” Newsom stated before the appeals court decision came down.